Gibraltar
is located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula
overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The capital is the city of
Gibraltar and the territory shares a border with Spain to the
north. Gibraltar has historically been an important base for the
British Armed Forces and is the site of a Royal Navy base.

The
name of the territory is derived from the Arabic name Jabal Tariq
meaning "mountain of Tariq". It refers to the geological
formation, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Berber Umayyad general
Tariq ibn-Ziyad, under the orders of Caliph Al-Walid I who led
the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of the main Moorish
force in 711. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of the
Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as
Gib or The Rock.

Gibraltar
was ceded by Spain in perpetuity in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht
though Spain requests its return, causing strain in Anglo-Spanish
relations. The British Government is committed to respecting the
wishes of the Gibraltarians, who strongly oppose the idea of annexation
along with any proposal for shared sovereignty with Spain.

The
official language is Enlish, but many residents speak Spanish
as well as other languages from nearby countries. A population
of 28,875 occupy 11,100 sq mi. The climate is Mediterranean with
mild winters and warm summers.